Where to stay in Nakhon Ratchasima – Khao Yai, Korat and Phimai
Khao Yai and Pak Chong, Korat city and Phimai compared. Where to stay in the gateway province to Isan and its famous national park.
Nakhon Ratchasima, usually called Korat, is Thailand’s largest province by area and the gateway to the northeast. For visitors it has three faces: the forests and resorts of Khao Yai, the big provincial city of Korat, and the Khmer temple at Phimai.
Choosing an area
- Khao Yai and Pak Chong are where most visitors stay. Khao Yai National Park, Thailand’s first national park, is part of the Dong Phayayen–Khao Yai Forest Complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The roads leading to the park are lined with resorts, cafés, vineyards and farm attractions, making it a popular weekend escape from Bangkok.
- Korat city is a busy commercial centre with shopping malls, the Thao Suranari monument and good-value business hotels. It is a practical stop on the way further into Isan.
- Phimai, about 60 km north-east of the city, has a beautifully restored Khmer sanctuary that predates Angkor Wat, plus a few simple hotels.
When to go
The cool season from November to February is the best time, with crisp mornings at Khao Yai. Wildlife watching is possible all year, and waterfalls such as Haew Suwat are at their fullest at the end of the rainy season. Long weekends and holidays fill Khao Yai’s resorts quickly.
Getting there
Khao Yai is about three hours’ drive from Bangkok. Trains on the northeastern line stop at Pak Chong and Korat, and buses run frequently from Bangkok’s Northern Bus Terminal (Mo Chit). A car is the most convenient way to explore the park and surrounding attractions, since public transport within Khao Yai is very limited.
Where to stay
Khao YaiResorts, wildlife and wineries around Thailand's first national park. Where to stay near Khao Yai and how to plan a visit.
